资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Lance \Lance\, n. [OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea; cf. Gr.
?. Cf. {Launch}.]
1. A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and
a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen, and
often decorated with a small flag; also, a spear or
harpoon used by whalers and fishermen.
A braver soldier never couched lance. --Shak.
2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.
3. (Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the
mold in casting a shell.
4. (Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece
of ordnance and forces it home.
5. (Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with
combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a
figure.
{Free lance}, in the Middle Ages, and subsequently, a knight
or roving soldier, who was free to engage for any state or
commander that purchased his services; hence, a person who
assails institutions or opinions on his own responsibility
without regard to party lines or deference to authority.
{Lance bucket} (Cavalry), a socket attached to a saddle or
stirrup strap, in which to rest the but of a lance.
{Lance corporal}, same as {Lancepesade}.
{Lance knight}, a lansquenet. --B. Jonson.
{Lance snake} (Zo["o]l.), the fer-de-lance.
{Stink-fire lance} (Mil.), a kind of fuse filled with a
composition which burns with a suffocating odor; -- used
in the counter operations of miners.
{To break a lance}, to engage in a tilt or contest.
Stink \Stink\, n. [AS. stinc.]
A strong, offensive smell; a disgusting odor; a stench.
{Fire stink}. See under {Fire}.
{Stink-fire lance}. See under {Lance}.
{Stink rat} (Zo["o]l.), the musk turtle. [Local, U.S.]
{Stink shad} (Zo["o]l.), the gizzard shad. [Local, U.S.]
{Stink trap}, a stench trap. See under {Stench}.